Palak AGARWAL responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.
Your view on beauty?
Real beauty is what you are; it is not what you aren’t. All of us are splashed with certain labels, right from our childhood, for all the wrong reasons — too thin, or fat, ugly, too fair, too dark, too short, too pimply, hairy, or freckled, among other skewed ‘embellishments.’ The list goes on. I believe it is our imperfections that make us unique. If you embrace your own beauty, you’ll ‘filter’ negative connotations. Our smile, our confidence, our love for ourselves, our positives, and our character define how beautiful we are. So, just go ahead — embrace them, also your flaws, and love every inch of yourself, because each of us is beautiful and distinctive in our own way.
Your view of health and wellness?
Good health is wealth. Wellness is, likewise, health ‘optimised.’ Understand, also listen to your body, and its signs before the advent of any illness. The big downside is we tend to ignore our health owing to the ‘FOMO’ effect — of missing out on something, or not being able to impress others. Anyone can be healthy, if only they choose the right kind of food and exercise. I am a foodie, all right, but the best advice I’d offer is simple — eat in small portions to enjoy the food you love till the end of your life. Also, sleep well and let your body recharge, replenish, or repair — to get you working at your best. The more you care about your health, the healthier, also wealthier, you will be.
Your ‘take’ on fitness?
Health and wellness go hand-in-hand. One should, however, be healthy enough to stay fit and vice versa. Regular exercise is a must — be it walking, dancing, playing sports, doing yoga etc. One should make sure to stay active and fit, with age being no bar. Picture our grandparents — they were all active, perhaps, much more than us. My dad often says — people used to walk, or ride a bicycle, wherever they needed. They also opted for the right food, the right amount of sleep and less stress about things. We are trying to do everything too soon. This is where we feel lost. The best thing to do to get the best there is in life is to keep peddling and staying active. Remember: fitness is as important as anything else. It should be a part of everyone’s routine, right now. Don’t opt for the ‘motto,’ “Tomorrow, tomorrow not today; hear the lazy people say.” Just get into the act of being fit, today.
Your ‘take’ on work-life balance?
Life is not about just working and earning. What do we earn for? For me, my work is important, just as much as relationships and personal life. I have quit jobs that did not support work-life balance, because if they want the best work from us, they also need to understand how important it is for us to spend quality time with our loved ones — not just work incessantly for them and have sleepless nights that could ruin our health. You just can’t work to pay your medical and other bills, and regret that you could not spend quality time with yourself [‘me-time’] and your loved ones, when your hair turns grey, or your joints ‘crackle’ and wobble.
Your mantra to beat stress?
Life puts everyone under pressure, perhaps, to test our endurance. Stress is good, at times, because it drives you to do better — but, you should never allow it to get the better of you and quiver your life, as also existence. We need to enjoy our simple abundance, appreciate what we have, do our karma and leave the rest with full faith in god. Try to think of stress as that ‘mix’ in your kitchen grinder. Go for a yummy milkshake, or refreshingly good health drink, and do what you love best — one that makes you happy. This is a simple, yet profound, way of beating stress — with the least effort.
